Senate Report, By Dan Sparks

One of the major pieces to the legislative puzzle for 2016 is beginning to take shape. This week, the Senate released its budget targets for the supplemental budget. With our budget funding for the state over the biennium already set in place, this year we review where we are at and make adjustments as needed. Fortunately, the state has a surplus that will allow us to address some of our unmet priorities.

The budget targets provide direction for our committees, giving them the framework they need to craft individual budget bills before moving them to the full Finance Committee. Together, committees will be putting together $489 million in new, mostly one-time, investments. We will also be putting another $300 million in the tax bill that will help hardworking Minnesotans through a variety of credits and reductions.

Much of our new spending will be going towards expanding education opportunities for Minnesotans, by giving school districts greater flexibility in how they use their funding and by investing in early learning opportunities and teacher retention. We are also making wise and necessary investments in school support staff and counselors, which will have a profound effect on student outcomes.

We are also making strong commitments in equity for workers and families, to help address persistent disparities throughout Minnesota. Our investments will support programs that provide community-specific business grants, workforce development programs, and youth and community resiliency programs. I am carrying a number of bills that were heard by the subcommittee addressing this issue.

One of those proposals would expand a program that is currently only available in the metro area to all of Minnesota. This program provides loans and technical assistance to low-income, women and minority-owned small businesses and entrepreneurs who are having trouble getting started with only traditional lending. This proposal has strong bipartisan support and is endorsed by the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce.

A number of other key priorities will be addressed for public safety, health and economic development, including $85 million to expand and enhance Minnesota’s broadband infrastructure. Broadband is a need that is often mentioned when I meet with city officials and business leaders.

In addition, the Senate tax bill will provide targeted tax relief for students, middle-class families and small businesses. All session we have been hearing bills that are being considered for a final tax bill. From the presentations and bills we’ve heard, it’s clear that the final Senate tax bill will be one that helps all Minnesotans.

As the finance and tax committees complete that work, the next big piece of legislation we can look forward to is the release of our Senate bonding proposal. A robust bonding bill will make needed investments in public infrastructure and needs across the state. I’m looking forward to those recommendations in the next few weeks, and will be working to secure investments for our area.

With just over a month left, my colleagues and I have a number of important items left to address — and I believe we’re on track to accomplish many good things for our state and region.

If you have questions or concerns about legislation and the session, I encourage you to contact my office at 651-296-9248 or at sen.dan.sparks@senate.mn.

 

Dan Sparks, DFL-Austin, is the District 27 senator.